Around La Winery
Excursions
Destination Médoc
Welcome to the Médoc, a contrasting land with an extremely rich, diversified natural heritage in which water and vines have always played the leading roles.
Along the Gironde Estuary, the Médoc is a place of small fishing harbours and a great many islands - some inhabited, some still wild - which are home to exceptional wildlife such as swans, paddlefish, harriers, otters…
To the west, on a strip of land 5 to 10 kilometres wide stand the vineyards. Well ordered and structured, this vast garden of vines produces wines that have long been the envy of the world. Here, the vines are a landscape, an economy, a vocation and a culture. Each century of winemaking history has left its mark which can be seen in the architecture of the châteaux and their beautiful outbuildings. Many winemaking estates and cooperative wineries are open for visitors to witness their know-how.
Further northwest, you reach the Atlantic Médoc: the untamed beauty of the long sandy beaches whipped by the surf, the authentic charm of the lakes nestling behind sand dunes, the silence of the pine forest… This authentic land ends in the ocean, with Cordouan Lighthouse standing guard.
The Médoc heritage
BEGADAN : Romanesque church with listed 11th-century apse
BLAIGNAN : 18th century church - Windmill
CISSAC MEDOC : 12th and 13th century church
CIVRAC MEDOC : Fortified Romanesque church with 17th century apse
GAILLAN en MEDOC : Church built in 1853 - Prehistoric sites at Le Gurp and La Négade
JAU, DIGNAC et LOIRAC : 19th century Richard Lighthouse
LESPARRE-MEDOC : 13th century tower
ORDONNAC : The highest point in the Médoc (Buscateau) - 18th century windmill - 12th century L'Isle Abbey
PAUILLAC : Artigues cave - 19th century neo-classical church - Robot museum
PRIGNAC en MEDOC : 12th century Saint Martin Church
QUEYRAC : Canals and marshland
SAINT CHRISTOLY de MEDOC : Romanesque church - Ruins of the towers of Château de Castillon - Port
SAINT ESTEPHE : 1764 baroque-style church listed as a historic monument with a sumptuously decorated interior and an 18th century organ.
SAINT GERMAIN D'ESTEUIL : Le Brion Gallo-Roman site
SAINT SEURIN de CADOURNE : Château Verdus with its dovecote and museum
SAINT YZAN de MEDOC : Gothic church - Archaeological site
SAINT VIVIEN de MEDOC : 12th century Romanesque apse
SOULAC : Notre Dame de la Fin des Terres Basilica - 11th century Romanesque church - Seafront
VALEYRAC : 1853 church - Chateau Sipian with its 365 windows - Goulée Port
VENDAYS-MONTALIVET : Marshland - 1856 sculpted pulpit in the church
VENSAC : Windmill still in operation
LE VERDON sur MER : Cordouan Lighthouse - Lighthouse museum in Grave Lighthouse
VERTHEUIL : 11th century church - 12th century Romanesque church
... and on the banks of the estuary: the "carrelets" (fishermen's huts)
The Atlantic Médoc
Less than 30 minutes from La Winery, the Atlantic Ocean stretches out to infinity. It is a place for feeling free, relaxing and surfing at all the seaside resorts: Soulac, Montalivet, Hourtin, Carcans, Lacanau, Le Porge…
If the beaches located near the main roads seem a little busy in summer, try walking a few hundred yards and you will find yourself alone in the world, free to dream about the faraway lands on the other side of the ocean.
In calmer waters behind the dunes, the lakes of Hourtin - Carcans and Lacanau are ideal for family bathing and sailing craft of all kinds: windsurfing, catamaran, kite-surfing…
The Bay of Arcachon
Around 45 minutes from La Winery, fall under the spell of this "little sea", a truly unique corner of paradise!
Adjoining the ocean and supplied with freshwater by the River Eyre, the Bay of Arcachon really is a little inland sea with constantly changing tides. It is a world apart where the winters are mild and there are no heatwaves in summer.
From Pilat Dune to the tip of Cap Ferret, the bay reveals a dazzling array of landscapes and colours. Alongside the lively seaside resorts, you will find the more peaceful, intimate oyster-farming villages and picturesque little harbours.
